Bruno Råberg Trio: Tailwind

The Bruno Råberg Trio jumps right into the hard charging Message XII to lead off Tailwind, bassist Råberg’s tenth CD as a leader. Here he joins veteran pianist Bruce Barth and drummer Adam Cruz for a fruitful journey into the realm of sensitive and deeply swinging piano trios. The Swedish-born bassist’s career was first documented with the Eje Thelin group in Stockholm in late 1974. He emigrated to the United States in 1981, and has been a professor at Berklee College of Music in Boston since 1986. His formidable presence with a warm and resonant tone is one of the key attractions here, along with Barth’s sparkling solos and Cruz’s enthusiastic support. Barth and Råberg first played together in the Boston-based ensemble Orange Then Blue, and Barth and Cruz have previously recorded together on a number of occasions, so the group chemistry is there, ready to be called upon. With the sole exception of Here’s That Rainy Day, the repertoire consists of a varied batch of Råberg’s originals, some recent work and a few that go way back. These days, he sometimes writes on the run between classes at Berklee, like the charming Paris Window or Message XII, which he sang into his phone and transcribed later. A Closer Look receives its first recording, though the piece dates from 1985, when roommates Barth and Råberg would play it as a duet. And Le Candide, also new to record and appearing here in two different treatments, is one of Råberg’s earliest tunes, dating back to his first year as a student at the New England Conservatory. I’m especially enamored of the title track, with its lovely melody and flowing rhythms, and Rainy Day Farewell, a sinuous groover based on the opening vamp to Here’s That Rainy Day. Tailwind is a winning effort, worth hearing again and again. Red Piano RPR 14599-4435; Bruce Barth (p) Bruno Råberg (b) Adam Cruz (d); Brooklyn NY, January 27, 2018; Message XII/ Song For Dolphy/ A Closer Look/ Le Candide II/ Tailwind/ Lone Tree Hill/ Paris Window/ Here's That Rainy Day/ Rainy Day Farewell/ Le Candide I; 55:49. www.redpianorecords.com